Rage Match: WWE 2K24's Troubled Pat McAfee DLC Malfunctions on PS5
By Brian Allen
In the world of sports games, we're familiar with video game cover curses. But can DLCs be cursed? The current state of WWE 2K24's Pat McAfee DLC Pack lends credence to the theory. After being a constant source of negative publicity, now the embattled DLC has released - unless you play on PlayStation 5.
PS5 gamers ready to try the DLC got error messages asking them to buy the season pass, even if they had already done so. After several hours, WWE 2K24's social media addressed the issue, saying they were "investigating the issue and we'll share an update as soon as possible."
As of this article's publication, the DLC still isn't working on PlayStation 5.
It's another misstep for a product that has been under fire since 2K announced it. While most of WWE 2K24's DLC packs have featured wrestlers (as one might expect in a wrestling game) this pack features McAfee and the cast of his sports talk show. McAfee is a WWE commentator and has competed in the ring on several occasions. The other hosts are included because McAfee asked for them to be. He has stated on his show that 2K assured him they aren't taking any spots from wrestlers who would be in otherwise.
Wrestling fans are a vocal group, and branded McAfee's DLC the worst ever. It certainly sticks out among DLCs that include legends such as the Honky Tonk Man, CM Punk, and Diamond Dallas Page. Video games are notorious for secret characters. Former President Bill Clinton once appeared in NBA Jam. During The Undertaker's "American Badass" era, he entered the ring to Limp Bizkit's Rollin', which somehow earned the band's frontman Fred Durst a spot on the WWE Smackdown: Just Bring It roster. But a whole DLC pack of what are essentially joke characters, for the price of $9.99, is not making gamers reach for their wallets.
Pat McAfee Show co-host Ty Schmit didn't do much to help, making fun of wrestling fans who he said would rather play as "some losers from NXT," citing the WWE's developmental brand. 2K announced last week the DLC, initially scheduled for a July 24 release, would be postponed until July 31. Many WWE 2K players, if not the majority, just buy the Season Pass. It will be interesting to see if 2K releases any individual sales numbers on DLC. Right now, fans' initial fears of this pack being the "worst DLC ever" seem prophetic.